Temperature regulation for refrigerators



Sqn, 24, 1940.

s. c. HOFFBERGER 2,216,079

TEMPERATURE REGULATION FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed OC.; 15. 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet l 4 She'ets-Sheet 3 s. c. HQFF'BERGER Mx=ERATURE PBG'JLATION FOR REFBIGERATORS Filed Oct.v

v N v Sept. 24, 1940.

Sept. 24. 1940- s. HOFF-'BERGER 2,216,079

TEMPERATURE REGULATION FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed oct. 15, 1957 4 sheets-:sheet 4 www Patented Sept. 24,'1940 I i TEMPERATURE REGULATION Fon REFRIG- EaAToRs Y Saul C. Hoifberger, Baltimore, `Md., assignor to The Bohn Refrigerator Company, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application october 15, 1937, serial No. 169,313

17 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigeration, and more particularly to refrigerators utilizing solid refrigerants, in which means are provided for maintaining relatively constant temperatures within said refrigerator with wide variation of refrigerant, and more particularly to such 'methods and means of refrigeration in which the temperatur'e maintained in the refrigerator may be regulated, but is. maintained substantially constant for any set of given conditions.

For a number of years mechanical refrigeration offered many advantages which led to displacement of refrigerators employing solid refrigerants. There are, however, various advantages which refrigerators employing solid refrigerants have.

In more recent years refrigeration by means of solid refrigerants has been materially im proved leading to refrigerators in which the temperature was maintained relatively constant even though the content of refrigerant in the ice compartment might vary over wide limits, and in fact even when the amount of refrigerant was only 10% of the capacity of the ice compartment, nevertheless substantially constant temperatures were maintained. However, in such refrigerators no means were provided enabling ready and simple variation of the degree of refrigeration or the temperature maintained to be controlled.

Among the objects of the present invention is the production of refrigerators, utilizing solid refrigerants in which means are provided for regulating the temperature maintained. and 35 means are utilized which enable variation in temperature to be obtained. while yet maintaining substantially constant temperatures for any given set of conditions.

Other and further objects and advantages will appear from the more detailed description set- (Cl. (i2-31) taining substantially constant temperature for any set of conditions; in

Figure 2, a fragmentary sectional view of the refrigerator of Figure 1, some parts being broken away to show structural features; in

KFigure 3, a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; in i Figure 4, a fragmentary transvese sectional view of a modified form of control element shown in position in a refrigerator; in

Figure 5, a fragmentary sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 4 with parts broken away; in

Figure 6, a section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; in 15 Figure '7, a fragmentary transverse sectional View of a further modification; in

Figurey 8, a fragmentary sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 7 with parts broken away to show structural features; in I 20 Figure 9, a section taken on the line 9--9 of Figure 8; rin

Figure 10, a fragmentary transverse section through a modified form of temperature control element shown in position in a refrigerator; and

Figure 1l, a fragmentary sectional view of the structure of Figure 10, some parts being broken away to show structural features.

As shown in the devices of the drawings, the present invention is-particularly concerned with control of temperature and temperature regulation in refrigerators, particularly of the type utilizing solid refrigerants, such as ice, solid carbon dioxide, etc. Such refrigerators comprise the usual refrigerator structure indicated by the walls R providing compartments, such as the ice compartment I and the food compartment F. These compartments are formed in the refrigererator by a floor member M, usually of metal or of material having a heat conductivity similar to that of metal, whereby air from the food compartment F contacts with the metallic floor member M and is refrigerated. Two types of Yrefrigerators of this character may be noted: those in which air circulates from the food compartment into and through the ice compartment, and those in which the food compartment and ice compartment are substantially sealed from one another, so that air from the food compartment, although impinging against the metallic floor member orface of the ice compartment, is cooled without circulating through the ice compartment. The present invention may be utilized with either-type of structure, but more desirably is concerned with refrigerators in which there is no substantial circulation of air from the food compartment, since in such structures more eilicient control of temperature regulation is provided with minimum consumption of ice for maintenance of desiredv temperature. Consequently in such cases, the, floor member M is mounted on a shoulder -S on the inner wall of the refrigerator, and is of such size as to seal the ice compartment against any substantial entry of air from the food compartment.

The oor member M also is desirably provided -with radiation ribs T, usually in the form of substantially fiat ribs angularly disposed with respect to the plane of the floor member or metallic face M, and extending over a substantial portion of the effective face of the oor member, such radiation ribs beingofmetal and increasing the surface providing for refrigeration of air circulating against such floor member. As noted above, structures of this character including floor members provided with radiation ribs may be utilized in refrigerators in which air may circulate from the food compartment into and through the ice compartment, but more desirably4 are employed in structures where no substantial entry of air from the food'compartment into the ice comparti ment occurs, whereby more eiiicient control of temperature is secured.

Particularly in connection with the present invention it has been found that in structures of the character set forth above, the temperature maintained in the refrigerator, or more particularly in the food compartment, may be varied by the degree of circulation of air, or the extent to which air is permitted to contact with the metallic face or floor member, with-or without radiating ribs. By varying the circulation of such air and the degree to which the air may contact such metallic face or floor member of the ice compartment, regulation of temperature in a refrigerator employing solid refrigerants may be obtained, although for any given set of conditions substantially uniform temperatures will be maintained. The present invention provides simple means and methods for accomplishing that result in this type of structure, and secures such results by the utilization of a circulation control element.

In the form of circulation control element shown in Figures 1 to 3, the drip pan I and baille 2 are placed in the food compartment immediately adjacent the metallic face or floor member M, providing passages through which the air of the food compartment circulates in order to be cooled. The drip pan I may thus take the form of a structure having side walls 3, 4, separated by a floor element or drip pan 5 provided with a central opening 6, the floor member 5 having -upturned edges 1 defining said opening 6, so that drip or condensate which collects on the floor member 5 is diverted to the drain pipe 8. The baiiie or dome member 2 is carried on the side walls 3, 4 above the floor opening Ii, and may desirably be V-shaped -in character, so that drip or condensate collecting on the upper surface of the dome member 2- is diverted to the oor member 5. 'I'he baille or dome member 2 is spaced above the floor member 5 to provide passages both above and below the dome member 2.

, 'I'he passages between the dome member 2 and the floor member 5 are adapted to be restricted or varied in size by means of gate or flap valves 9, IIJ pivotally mounted at each end of the baffle or dome member 2. Each of the valves 9 and I0 is provided with an operating knob II, I2 extending forwardly ofthe food compartment, so that rotary movement of the knobs II, I2 move the .9 and III open, air circulates both above and below the baille member 2, some of the air passing below the baiile member 2 and through the open ing 6 in the drip pan or floor member 5 of the circulation control element, The degree of such circulation of air through these passages may be controlled by operation of the valves 9 and I0, and depending on the amount of the air that is permitted to circulate between the dome member 2 and the drip pan 5, the temperature in the food compartment is controlled and capable of variation within substantial limits, although for a particular position of the valves 3, It such tem perature will be maintained substantially constant, even with wide variation in the amount of the refrigerant in the ice compartment I. Since the knobs II, I2 are directly available for operation from the front of the food compartment, they may be set to determine ,the temperature to be maintained in the food compartment. If the valves 9, iii are closed so that no air can circulate between the dome member 2 and the drip pan 5, all air circulation is necessarily against the metallic face or door member M and any radiating ribs T provided thereon, whereby one set of temperature conditions is maintained substantially constant. By operating the valves 9 and i0 the passage of air is controlled, and the air circulating through such passages restricted according to the settings of the gate valves 8 `and It. Each position of the valves 9 and I0 will give a different temperature in the food compartment, but for any such position of the valves 9 and I0, the temperature will be maintained substantially constant. Such structure, therefore, readily enables variation in temperature as desired in the food compartment, although providing at the same time for substantially constant temperatures being maintained for any given set of conditions.

Any desired means may be provided for varying the passages and circulation of air in the food compartment. Thus in the structure shown in Figures 4 to 6, the two Valves 9 and I0 may be simultaneously operated by a single operating element or knob 20. For this purpose, the knob 20 is directly attached to a. strap 2I extending on each side of the knob 20 and provided with an opening at each end thereof in whiclra tie rod 22 is seated and-serves to connect the strap `2I with a strap 23 attached to each of the valves 3 and I0. Operation of they knob 2li will simultaneously actuate the valves 9 and IIJ. Otherwise the structure and its operation is analogous to that described above for Figures 1-3.

Further structural modification is illustrated in Figures 'I to 9. In this structure the gate valves 38 and 39 are mounted for hinge movement on rods 40, 4I carried on the side walls 3, 4 of the circulation control element, the rods 40, 4i being spaced from each other, and the space between them being covered by the baie or dome element 75 tuation of both valves andere 42. nach oi the rods 4l, 4l is providedwith a gear 43,y 44, whichl gearsmesh so that movement of the gear 44 operates gear 4I, and produces ac'- 88 and 88. `One'oi the rods 40, 4I is provided with an operating knob 45, so that actuation of the knob 45 results in movement of the gate valves 28, 38 to control the passages between the dome or baille 42 and the oor member or drip pan 5. The 'other structural details of the device as shown inFig-` 'ures '7 to 9 and their operation and functions are otherwise substantially the same as that explained above in connection with Figures l-3.-

Further structural modification is illustrated in Figures 10 andll. In the form o! devices and structure shown in Figures 1-9 above. substantial circulation of air is permitted at all times, temperature control' being maintained by .diversion o! such circulating air into a multiplicityof channels. In the structural modication shown in Figv ures 10 and 11, the arrangement is such that Ythe circulation of air in contact with the oor member M can beso controlled that with one setting of the device, only a minimum amount or is permitted to circulate, provision for some circulating air at all times, however. being offered, while with the maximum opening of the valves a maximum amount of circulation of air is permitted, intermediate settings oi the valve permitting control of the circulation o! air at intermediate values, thus providing for regulation of temperatures as desired, it still being kept in l mind that for any given setting of valves, a. substantially uniform temperature will be maintained in the food compartment of the refrigerator with minimum consumption of solid. refrigerant for maintenance of refrigeration. In the structures of Figures 10 and 1l, the floor member M provided with the radiation ribs T are employed, such licor member M resting on the shoulders S, S carried on the side walls of the refrigerator` structure, the depthY of the floor member M being substantially equal to the depth oi the refrigerator, so that no substantial circulation of air Vfrom the food compartment F into the refrigerantfcompartment I is permitted. At the same time,` the iioor member M with attached radiation ribs T may .be removed for cleaning or other purposes, as desired.

The drip pan. ls desirably formed as a double walled structure having upper and lower walls 5I and 52 respectively, so that the 'lower Wall` 52 can collect condensate that may form on the upper wall 5I.V 'Ihe upper and lower walls'5i and 52 are provided with central openings 5 3 and 54 respectively, the edges of the openings 58 'and 54 being upturned, as shown at 55 and 56, respectively, to form a lip so that condensate which collects on the walls 5| and 52 is conducted along 'the channels formed between the walls 5i and 52 and the upturned lip portions 55 and 58 to the drain pipe; 4there being an upper drain pipe 51fwhich conducts the condensate fromv the upper 'portion of the drip pan into the drain pipe 58, the latter also receiving the drip Water collected vby the lower wall 52. The drain pipe 51 may be rigidly attached to the rear central portion oi the 'upper wall of the drip pan, while the drain pipe 581s. attached to the rear central portion of the lower wall of the drip pan.

The double wens 5| and s2 of the drip pan are joined together at their sides, as shown at 59,

the iront double walls of the drip panbeing closely associated together and supported lin. position by the 'extension 68, while the rear walls "tie rod `84 being ofthe double walled drip pan are secured directly to theback wall oi the-reirigerator, as indicated 'amr f y,

' 'I'iebailie or dome member v62 is desirably. com-` posedioi'a front vwall Stand arear wall'64, to which are attached side walls 65 and 66, and a t'op'member 61. 'I'he top extends `forwardly of thefront wall S3/to provide an extension 68- which vrestsv on a. projection 69 carried on the front'wall of the drip Vpan structure; the space formed between the front Wall `63 of the dome member 62 and the iront wall of the drip pan structure providing a passage in which vthe means for operating the gate valve to be described below, may be placed. The rear wall 64 of the dome member G2 nts into guides 10 carried on the rear wall of the drip pan structure.A condensate or drip whichg'collects on the upper surfaces of the side walls 65 and 66 of the dome member62 collects in the channel formed by the upturned lower edges 1I vand 12 respectively, and is carried transversely over to the' collecting channels on theupper drip pan wall 5| and from-thence is carried into the drain pipes. 'Ihe slanting side walls 65 and 66 provide a central opening 13 therebetween, which is positioned above the openings '.23 and 54 of the double walled gdrip pan, the top 61 of the dome member being placed above this opening 13 and forming a dome thereover. Carried on the lower wall 52 of the double walled drip pan, channel shaped drip collectors 14 and 15 may be provided, positioned just below the channel formed by the'upturned edges 1| and 12 of the slanting walls 65 and 66 respectively of the dome member; such drip collectors 14 and 15 v,being carried on the vlower wall 52 and carrying any :drip or condensate backr into the channel 'formed between the upturned edge 56 of the lower Wall 52 of the drip pan structure, so lthat it may ultimately reach the drain pipe.

From a consideration of the structure so far described, it will be apparent that since the oor member M substantially Closesvthe opening between the io'od'compartment F and therefrigerant compartment I, any air circulating within Athe food compartment F must pass along the purpose,4 gate valves18 and 15 are carried on `rods 88 and 8i respectively, the latter being supported on the slanting portion of the upper wall 5l of the drip pan, as in lugs 82 and 83, such lugs o r projections 82 and 83 having openings therein tor receive the rods 88 and 8l respectively, which can be rotated in such supporting lugs, rotation Vof the rods also .rotating the gate valves 18 and 19 which are rigidly attached'to the rods 80 and 8i; VThe size of the valves 18 and 19 is substantially equal to the distance between the drip pan upperwall 5| 'at this point and the edge ol the supporting shoulder S nearest thereto@l For operation of the valves 18 and 19, a tie rod 84 is supplied for each valve 18 and 19, one end of the v attached to the valve 18 on the onehand, and the other tie rod 84 being attached to the va1ve'19, these tie rods 84 being attached at their inner ends to the strap 85 mounted on the pin 86 to which the knob 81 is attached, s0

close the passages 16 and 'l1 against circulationl of air, the length of the rods 84, however, being such that the passages 16 and 11 cannot be completely closedV even at the full movement of the knob 81, leaving a small passage 88 and l! at all times through which some circulation-although a minimum-may take place. While the valves Il and 19 may be independently operated by individual operating knobs, the structure as shown is particularly useful for household and other purposes, enabling simultaneous setting of the valves to be produced. The front wall of the drip pan may carry a scale on which a range of temperatures, such as between 40 and 50 F. may be indicated, so that when the knob is turned to such position on the indicating scale, tempera-' tures of the indicated order will be substantially maintained in the refrigerator.

The operation and function of structures oi' the character illustrated in Figures 10 and 1l will be apparent from the description given above, particula-rly in view of the analogous operation of structures explained above as shown in Figures 1-9. Ready and substantial control of the temperatures to be maintained in the food compartment F is secured in this way in a relatively simple and eicient structure.

It will thus be seen that in accordance with the present invention, simple methods and means are provided for variation in the temperature to be maintained in the food compartment of a refrigerator utilizing solid refrigerants, such methods and means including control of the air circulating from the food compartment against the metallic face or floor member of the ice compartment. Various degrees of temperature may be maintained in the food compartment depending on the opening or degree of opening for any given seating of the valves. Thus temperature control while maintaining constant tempera-ture for each control setting is secured. n

Having thus set forth my invention, I claim:

1. A circulation control element for refrigerators comprising side walls spaced apart by a floor member having an opening therein, a. dome member carried on said side walls above said opening and spaced from said floor member cooperating therewith to provide passages between the dome and floor members, and means for restricting said passages to control the amount of air that may circulate through said passages.

2. A circulation control element for refrigerators comprising side walls spaced apart by a floor member having an opening therein, a dome member carried on said side walls above said opening and spaced from said floor member cooperating therewith to provide passages between the dome and floor members, and manually operable gates for controlling the amount of air that may circulate through said passages.

3. In a refrigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment, the ice compartment having a metallic face against which air from the food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a baille adjacent the metallic face of the ice compartment cooperating therewith to provide an air circulating passage between said baille and saidl metallic face, an opening in said baille for diversion of circulating air, and means for restricting said opening to control the air passing therethrough.

4. In a refrigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment substantially sealed against entry of air from said food compertinent, the ice compartment having a metallic face against which air from the food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a baille adjacent the metallic face of the ice compartment cooperating therewith to provide a-n air circulating passage between said baffle and said metallic face, an opening in said baffle for diversion of circulating air,V and means for restricting said opening to control the air passing therethrough.

5. In a refrigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment substantially sealed against entry of air from said food compartment, the ice compartment having a metallic face against which air from the food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a baille within the food compartment adjacent the metallic face of the ice compartment cooperating therewith to provide an air circulating passage between said baille and said metallic face, an opening in said baille for diversion'of the circulating air, and means for restricting said opening to control the air passing therethrough.

6. In a refrigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment, the ice compartment having a metallic face provided with radiation ribs against which air fromthe food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a baiiie within the food compartment adjacent the metallic face of the ice compartment cooperating therewith to provide an air circulating passage between said baille and said metallic face, an opening in said bafiie for diversion of circulating air, and means for restricting said opening to control the air passing therethrough.

7. In a refrigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment, the ice compartment having a metallic face against which air from the food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a circulation control element within the food compartment comprising side walls spaced apart by a floor member having anopening therein, a dome member carried on said side walls above said opening and spaced from said floor member cooperating therewith to provide passages between the dome and floor members, and means for restricting said passages to control the amount of air that may circulate through said passages.

8. In a refrigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment, the ice compartment having a metallic face against which air from the food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a refrigeration control element with-l in said food compartment adjacent the metallic face of the ice compartment, said refrigeration control element comprising side walls spaced apart by a floor member having an opening therein, and gate valves carried on said side walls adjacent said floor opening to close said opening against passage of substantial air therethrough.

9. In a refrigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment;y the ice compartment having a metallic face provided with radiation ribs against which air from the food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a circulation control element mounted within the food compartment adjacent the metallic face of the ice compartment, said circulation control element comprising side walls spaced apart by a oor member having an opening therein, a dome member carried on said side walls above said opening and spaced from said floor member cooperating thereandere with to provide passages between the vdome and iioor members, and means for restricting said passages to control the amount of air that may circulate through said passages.

10. The methodof controlling refrigeration in a refrigerator having a food compartment and p spaces.

van ice compartment, said method comprising cirl culating air from the food compartment against the-metallic face of the ice compartment to refrigerate said air, said circulation including diversion of said air through'passages adjacent the metallicriace of the ice compartment, and restricting said passages to control the ilow of an' therethrough and the degree of refrigeration produced.

11. In a refrigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment, the ice compartment having a metallic face against which air from the food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a drip pan placed below and spaced from said metallic face to cooperate therewith to provide an air circulation passagevtherebetween, the sides of the drip pan being spaced from the metallic face, and gate valves carried. od said drip pan adjacent said spaces between the ends of the drip -pan and the metallic face to control the circulation of air through said 12. In a refrigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment substantially sealed against entry of air from said food compartment, the ice compartment having a. metallic lace against which air from the food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a drip pan placed below and spaced from said metallic face to cooperate therewith to provide an air circulation passage therebetween, the sides of the drip pan being spaced from the metallic face, and gate valves mounted adjacent said spaces between the ends of the drip pan and the metallic face to control the circulation oi air through said spaces.

'13. In a refrigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment provided with a metallic face against which air from the food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a circulation control device positioned within the food compartment and including an element arranged to cooperate with said face to provide air passages converging to ya common discharge outlet, said outlet extending substantially from one wall of the refrigerator to the opposite wall, and

by said element for restricting to control means carried the ilow ot air through said passages the degree of refrigeration produced.

14. In a reirigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment provided with a metallic face against which Lair from the food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a circulation control device positioned within the food compartment and including an element arranged to cooperate with said face to provide air passagesconverging to a common discharge out let and to prevent dripping of condensate through said discharge outlet, and means for restricting the flow of air through said passages to control the degree of refrigeration produced.

l5. In a refrigerator having'a food compartment and an ice compartment provided with a metallic face against which air from the food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a circulation control device positioned within the food compartmentv and including an element arranged to cooperate with said face to provide air passages converging to a common discharge outlet, said element including valve means arranged to restrict the ow of air through the said passages, the said outlet extending substantially y from one wall ofy the refrigerator to the opposite wall.

16. In a refrigerator having a food compartment and an ice compartment, the ice compartment having ametallic face provided with heat conducting ribs against which air fromthe food compartment may circulate for refrigeration, a circulation. control device positioned within `the food compartment and including an element arranged to cooperate with said face and ribs to provide air'passages converging to a common discharge outlet, the said outlet extending substan tially from one wall of the refrigerator to the opposite wall, and means carried'by said elementV for restricting the owci' air through said passages to control the degree-oi refrigeration prow duced.

17. In a refrigeration control device, a drip pan comprising side walls spaced apart by afloor member having an opening therein, and means with the floor to provide air passages and valve means carried by said pan for regulating air ow through .the said opening.

'SAUL c, nor'r'nnaom.

- carried by the said-side walls and cooperating 

